Changes in the color and thickness of toenails can be safely considered the first sign of an infectious fungal disease - onychomycosis. In the early stages, there is still a chance to do it without resorting to expensive pharmaceuticals, it is important to know which folk methods of treating toenail fungus are most effective. You can get rid of this disease at home if you strictly follow all the rules and recommendations.
Main factors causing the disease
Onychomycosis is classified as an infectious disease so the only way for it to occur is through infection. This often happens unnoticed and in the early stages there are almost no symptoms. The appearance of slight peeling and small cracks on the nail plate also rarely worries a person. Usually, treatment begins when obvious signs of the disease are detected:
- change in nail color;
- plate thickens;
- persistent itching at the base of the nail (sometimes between the toes).
It is very easy to get a fungal infection - just contact with sick relatives during joint trips to the sauna and bath, fitness center, using common household items, such as bath mats or towelsbed sheet. Often the disease can be transmitted in public places such as swimming pools or water parks if treatment is not according to accepted standards.
There are also some individual risk factors for yeast infections, such as a weakened immune system. In order not to provoke the onset of the disease, before going to places with a high risk of infection, you should pay attention to your body's condition. Do not accept risks if:
- The man recently had a cold and his immune system has not yet fully recovered.
- There is damage to the nails or feet.
- There are doubts about the proper cleaning of clubs or shoes, for example at a bowling center.
Fighting nail fungus is a long process. In its advanced form, this can lead not only to cosmetic discomfort but also to more serious diseases that may require surgical intervention.
Modern medicine offers many different antifungal drugs to get rid of this disease, but not everyone has the opportunity to buy them because of their high cost. Traditional toenail fungus treatment formulas are equally effective when used correctly and will cost much less.
Iodine treatment
Among all the options for treating fungus with folk remedies, iodine is considered the most popular. The effectiveness of its use has been proven by dermatologists, and the drug is recommended for the treatment of affected areas of the nails and feet. The product compares favorably with:
- low price;
- good antiseptic properties;
- Easy to use.
It has been proven that regular treatment of affected areas of the nail with iodine for two weeks can completely eliminate the fungus. To do this, the affected plaque must be soaked daily with the drug until a healthy nail completely grows. As a precaution, healthy nails on other fingers can also be treated with iodine.
The drug is also often used as an additional ingredient in other home recipes to combat athlete's foot. For example, they mix iodine with apple cider vinegar, treat the skin around the nails or soak their feet by adding the product to water. In combination with celandine, vegetable oil or antimicrobial agents, the drug is used to prepare mixtures to treat not only nail fungus, but also feet.
Before using iodine, remember that this drug can cause allergic reactions, so you need to do a test: apply a small amount of iodine to the skin and wait a few hours. Caution should be exercised when using iodine for people with thyroid disease.
Soda treatment
Baking soda is a fairly popular means of fighting various infections. It also works well in treating toenail fungus with folk remedies. It is recommended to use it in two doses.
First, steam your feet in the bathtub. To do this, prepare a solution: 1 tablespoon of baking soda per liter of hot water. Soak your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. Then move on to the next part of the process.
In the second step, you will need to prepare the soda mixture (soda and a little water). The resulting mass is applied to the affected area of the steamed nail plate and using the wrapping method (you can use a regular transparent film). The duration of the procedure should not exceed 15 minutes. Therefore, you should wash your feet with water to avoid irritation.
If the disease begins, treatment must be carried out daily. For the early stages, two to three times a week is enough. The effect will be noticeably faster if you combine baking soda treatment with medication. It usually takes about two months to completely eliminate the fungus, but even after full recovery, you should take a freshwater bath once a week to avoid recurrence.
Alcohol tablets
A good way to defeat nail fungus is with an alcohol compress. This is done before going to bed and left overnight. Due to heating, the affected areas of the nail plate will expand, allowing the antiseptic to penetrate inside. Ammonia compresses are considered the most effective, but regular compresses will be effective. To follow the procedure correctly, you must:
- Steam your feet.
- Use a file to remove the dead top layer of the affected nail.
- Treat with hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply a cotton pad soaked in alcohol solution to the nail.
- Place on fingertips or wrap in foil.
- In the morning, remove the compress and lubricate the nails with antifungal gel or cream.
- Repeat the procedure every other day until the fungus disappears completely.
To enhance the effect, pure alcohol can be replaced with a tincture based on it. A weekly alcohol-filled celandine compress will greatly speed up the treatment process, and the fresh juice of the plant can be used in place of antifungal creams.
Applying a compress with propolis tincture will also help get rid of the fungus quickly. The healing properties of this product have been known for a long time. It can cure fungus not only on the nails but also on the entire foot. Propolis has antifungal and antiseptic properties, which eliminates the use of other medications after bandage removal.
Uses of Kombucha
Concentrated kombucha solution is very effective in treating foot fungus with folk remedies. The infusion has antibacterial properties and the stronger the concentration, the better. Infusion of mushrooms for three months is considered optimal.
Treatment with this popular method can be performed in two ways. First, use a cotton pad soaked in concentrated kombucha and boil thoroughly overnight. The second is to lubricate the affected area with the same fungus, rubbing it into a paste.
In both the first and second methods, after the procedure, the dead nail layer must be removed. At the end of treatment, it is necessary to disinfect both the nails and the tools used.
Despite the fact that kombucha is a completely natural remedy, it has a number of contraindications for use. Can not use:
- women during pregnancy and lactation;
- Alcoholics;
- people with diabetes and hepatitis;
- HIV and AIDS infected patients.
In other cases, kombucha has established itself as one of the most effective treatments for fungal diseases without the use of drugs.
Use birch sap
The oldest way to get rid of foot fungus is birch tar. Its uses have been known for a long time but have not lost their effectiveness. Tar can be used in its pure form or you can prepare an ointment from it by mixing it with cream.
Before applying this substance, you should pre-treat your feet and nails, steam them and remove dead parts. Then you can process it with tar. A distinctive feature of this method is the need for access to air for the pharmaceuticals used. The procedure takes about two hours, so you should take care of a comfortable body position in advance.
A more modern method is to use soap tar. But it is more suitable for preventing daily recurrences than for treatment. In some cases, using soap can cause allergies and dry skin, so use caution when using it. And even an unpleasant smell that persists for several hours does not bring any benefit to the product.
Don't rely entirely on tar treatment. It is best used as a natural remedy that complements medications.
Salt and vinegar
Vinegar and salt are often used as adjuncts against finger and toe fungus. Additionally, salt can be used for both marine and culinary purposes. It has strong antibacterial properties and is well absorbed. Vinegar helps soften the nails for further processing. Usually solutions are made from these ingredients. The solution formula is very simple:
- 100 ml vinegar (preferably apple cider);
- 2 liters of hot water;
- 0. 5 cups salt.
Mix everything well and soak your feet in the solution for 20-30 minutes. Such a bath not only helps to steam your nails before the procedure, but also disinfects the entire surface of your feet.
Whatever folk remedies are used to combat toenail fungus, you should remember: if after two weeks of treatment there is no visible result, you should immediately consult a doctor.